When the reader first meets Dr Grimsby Roylott his behaviour toward Sherlock Holmes was unexpected after the conversation between Sherlock Holmes and Helen Stoner. ‘What has she been saying to you’ this creates suspense and makes the reader want to know why is he after Helen Stoner. ‘…I know you, you scoundrel…don’t you dare meddle with my affair…’ this gives the impression that Dr Grimsby Roylott is a dangerous man and he will do anything if someone gets in his way which gives a hint that Dr Grimsby Roylott is a murderer. Another point I would like to make about Dr Roylott is he is described as looking, in my opinion, like a regular killer of the period would look like, well built, strong, dressed in black. "…Our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand." In addition to this point I believe that the Dr comes across as a rude and arrogant man. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip, he snarled, and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace, he strode out of the room" throughout the passage it refers that Dr Grimsby Roylott was a strong and impatient man ‘…he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a stream… disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended up in the police court…’ which suggest that you don’t want to get in his ways. The author then creates a feeling of suspense in the passage ‘…Dr Grimsby Roylott has a passion for Indian animals… he has at the moment a cheetah and baboon’ This is very unusual and shows that he is not normal. He asolated himself from overs and locked himself in his room all day. He is compared to a beast. Helen Stoner, who is the twin of the victim and also the step daugther of Dr Roylott, described him to Shelock Holmes. She said, "He beat his native butler to death" and "he is a man of immense strenght, and absolutely uncontrollable in anger. "Dr Roylott is a wicked man. He had killed people and had a hot temper. He is a very odd man”. This creates suspense and make us want to read on and also have sympathy over Helen Stoner because her life is in danger.
The atmosphere before Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson arrives at the stoke Moran, the house of Dr Grimsby Roylott and Helen Stoner, is that of a lovely day. ‘There is a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the heaven, it also describes the journey toward the house was a beautiful scenery in the Surrey lanes. This relieves the tension at the moment for the reader. This contrasts towards the description of the house as they arrive at Stoke Moran. ‘The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone.’ The word ‘grey’ gives the impression that it is dull and drab and ‘lichen-blotched’ makes it seem old and uncared for. This is reinforced with the ‘broken windows’ and ‘ill trimmed lawn.’ The personification of the house with the crab in the simile ‘two curving wings, like the claws of a crab’ gives the impression that the house is alive and going to grab them. This makes the reader anxious to what will happen when Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson enters the house.
Holmes examines the inside of Dr Grimsby Roylott’s house, this creates further suspense by hits/clues throughout the house. ‘…Dummy bell ropes which is not even attached to a wire…’ ‘…Ventilators which do not ventilate…’ ‘…The bed was clamped to the floor…’ ‘…No one could pass these shutters if they were bolted…’ Holmes finds out the clues and tells others but does not reveal what has happened. ‘Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat silent.’ This gives the impression that Holmes is figuring out the mystery but does not tell anyone else. This makes the reader want to read on to find out later what has happened in this mystery. Also while Sherlock Holmes is in Dr Grimsby room he finds some unusual things, ‘…a small saucer of milk… ‘…A curled up lash…’ Holmes again implies that he has figured out the mystery but doesn’t give away the answer. ‘…Thank you, this is quite settled…’
When Dr Grimsby Roylott returns home we learn about that his character was not in a pleasant mood. ‘Horse roar of the doctor’s voice and saw the fury with which he shook his clinched fist at the gate boy’ this creates suspense because if Dr Grimsby Roylott finds Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson they will be in trouble. This makes the reader want to read on to find out what happens to Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. When the author use’s the word ‘huge form’ it makes Dr Grimsby Roylott like a beast this creates further tension.
When Holmes and Watson return to Stoke Moran the language used to describe their journey is particularly effective. Suspense is created using the word ‘dark’ ‘…we were out on the dark roads…’ ‘…Across the lawn into the darkness…’ ‘…Sit without light…’ ‘…Left in darkness…’ This is the author’s use of pathetic fallacy, he describing the weather and the atmosphere to match the mood of the scenes. When Holmes and Dr Watson see a creature among the trees Holmes describes it as ‘hideous’ and ‘distorted child, to create a feeling of danger. This makes the reader anxious and makes him want to read on. Also Holmes uses the word ‘do not go asleep; your very life may depend on it’ he also uses the same words to Helen Stoner before. This again creates an atmosphere of fear and keeps the reader on his toes.
The Vigil kept by Holmes and Watson is described as ‘dreadful’ ‘…how shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil…’ this is the author’s use of a rhetorical question. The word ‘vigil’ and ‘nervous tension’ gives the impression of something is going to happen. This creates suspense for the reader and makes him want to read on. The author’s use of the words ‘the least ray of light’ gives the impression that from darkness it is now complete darkness. This is emphasised by ‘waited in absolute darkness’ the reader now can imagine complete silence and waiting for something to happen. Also the author’s use of technique ‘twelve struck, and one and two and three’ emphasises the amount of time they were waiting and it also emphasises the silence, this build the tension for the reader because he is waiting for something to happen. The author then uses the word ‘suddenly’ this builds up the tension but it then uses the words ‘all was silence once more’ this makes it back to normal but still increases the tension for the reader.